JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #47 - March/April 2009 - 30

BUSINESS Trends g…/… Advantages of natural-fibre applications using BioHybrid Composites Tab. 1b: Best-case scenario by 2012, target value to fine companies 130 gram/km, status quo conditions. Tab. 1c: Worst-case scenario by 2015, target value to fine companies 130 gram/km, status quo conditions. Tab. 1a: Mathematical scenario for five car models. 2008 model V6 Tip Petrol V8 S Petrol V8 GTS Petrol V8 T,S Petrol V8 GTS Petrol CO2 310 gram/km 329 gram/km 332 gram/km 358 gram/km 361 gram/km 310 - 130 = 180 329 - 130 = 199 332 - 130 = 202 358 - 130 = 228 361 - 130 = 231 180 * € 20 = € 3,600 199 * € 20 = € 3,980 202 * € 20 = € 4,040 228 * € 20 = € 4,560 231 * € 20 = € 4,620 310 - 130 = 180 329 - 130 = 199 332 - 130 = 202 358 - 130 = 228 361 - 130 = 231 180 * € 95 = € 17,100 199 * € 95 = € 18,905 202 * € 95 = € 19,190 228 * € 95 = € 21,660 231 * € 95 = € 21,945 four unique improved properties. Trifilon’s BioHybrid Composite (BHC) material is capable of overcoming several of the obstacles the automotive industry will be facing from 2012 onwards, such as emission regulations, end-of-life handling and pedestrian safety. Consumer awareness of fuel price/consumption issues and the use of cutting-edge technology could put a brand in jeopardy (brand loyalty). The willingness of car owners to contribute to a sustainable development – and to get value for money – is undisputed. In the wind-power sector, the material can be used to manufacture the larger rotor blades demanded by the market to generate more renewable energy per unit. There will probably be a structural change in the marketplace. Main characteristics BHC™: BioHybrid Composites • carbon and hemp fibres • compared to conventional carbon fabric composites: - 25-30% cost saving - 15-20% weight saving - good flexural properties • recyclable full length carbon as it requires less transportation when a unit can be manufactured on site. A value-added production method The production method reaches 96% of equivalent autoclaved laminates, and is environment friendly. It costs only 1-5% of the cost of equivalent conventional equipment, is faster, more effective and involves less post-processing work. It consumes 80% less energy than conventional equipment and can handle unlimited part sizes and geometries. Moreover, the equipment is mobile, which reduces its environmental impact, Under the test As part of a student project at the University of Linköping, a number of tests were carried out on carbon, hemp and epoxy BioHybrid Composites (BHC) under the supervision of Professor Sten Johansson. Charpy impact tests and a 3-point bending flexural test were implemented. The students produced graphs (see Figures 3) showing that the BHCs have better absolute flexural strength, independently of the specific weight. Furthermore, less carbon is used by weight. This indicates that Trifilon’s technique provides greater product design freedom than carbon fabric. It saves both weight and money compared to conventional lay-up techniques. All the laminates represented in the graphs are manufactured by the EVT™ (Electroheated Vacuum bagging Technology developed by Trifilon) production method, which uses a pressure of only one atmosphere. Such high mechanical properties are generally attainable only by using autoclaves. Trifilon’s material and method make it possible to save a considerable amount of money and energy during production, not to mention the huge Proven intrinsic advantages The BioHybrid Composite is environment friendly and offers high quality and unique properties. This material has Fig. 2: 30m² catamaran deck. all the benefits of pure-carbon-fibre laminates, with at least 25% higher flexural strength in comparison to weight, and higher impact stress/load. The laminate is less expensive, because two plies of six (two plies +45 -45) can be substituted with one BHC of less expensive biofibre. Example, 1 mm thick laminate. The BHC laminate makes it possible to recycle high-valued, high-priced carbon fibre an unlimited number of times. This should be appreciated, as carbon fibre is in short supply. The recycling process is CO2 neutral as far as the biofibre is concerned. Fig. 3: Flexural tests of pure carbon fibre. 30 jec composites magazine / No47 March-April 2009

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #47 - March/April 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #47 - March/April 2009